Dirt biker sentenced for reckless riding

A dirt bike rider who led police on a chase involving a dog team and a helicopter through Mission last summer has been sentenced on several charges.

Clayton Robert Pierce, 23, was handed a two-year driving prohibition, one year of probation and fines totalling about $1,000 for four counts of breaching his bail conditions and one count each of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and driving while prohibited.

He was sentenced June 3 in Abbotsford provincial court.

Pierce was arrested Aug. 16, 2014 after police had received numerous complaints over the preceding months about a man riding a dirt bike recklessly through city streets during the late-night and early-morning hours.

The man routinely covered his face with a mask, helmet or bandana.

He would goad police into following him and then ride away into areas where police could not follow.

That scenario was repeated on Aug. 16, and police called in a dog team and helicopter to help find the culprit.

The helicopter traced him to Caswell Avenue near Shaw Street, where he abandoned the dirt bike and fled on foot about two kilometres up a forestry service road.

The dog team tracked him down about 150 metres from where the motorcycle had been abandoned, and Pierce was arrested and subsequently charged.

Shortly after his arrest, he was also charged in relation to a home invasion that had taken place on Aug. 6, 2014.

On that day at about 1 a.m., three masked men forced their way into a Mission home and beat a 25-year-old man, causing serious head injuries.

Pierce was charged with break and enter, aggravated assault, and wearing a mask while committing an offence.

Another man, Curtis Noble-Garrett, was charged with the same offences.

Pierce was released from custody Aug. 27 on $2,000 bail, and in October police issued a warrant for his arrest after he breached his bail conditions when he left the residence in Abbotsford where he was supposed to be living.

Pierce, whom police have described as a “prolific violent offender,” was back in custody the following month on three outstanding warrants for a total of 11 charges. He has been in prison since.

The charges related to the home invasion are still making their way through the courts.